Description
Corgi Diecast Model
Aviation Archive Series
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt - "Miss Mary Lou", 19th FS, 218th FG, USAAF, Saipan, 1944
1:72 Scale. Length: 6". Wingspan: 6.75"
Limited Edition
In 1942 the 19th Pursuit Squadron was renamed the 19th Fighter Squadron and, equipped with Thunderbolts, moved to Saipan aboard the USS Natoma Bay. The 19th FS helped U.S. forces successfully capture the Saipan, Tinian and Guam Islands in three short months. This P-47D, named "Miss Mary Lou", served with the 19th FS, part of the 218th Fighter Group, and is seen here as it appeared during the July 1944 campaign in Saipan.
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a single-seat fighter aircraft used by the U.S. and allied air forces during World War II. It was one of the largest, heaviest, most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine. The P-47B was first flown on May 6, 1941 with the first production aircraft being delivered in May 1942. The Thunderbolt was very effective as a short-to-medium range escort fighter and as a fighter-bomber proved especially adept at ground attack. The aircrafts eight .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns could inflict severe damage on lightly armored targets. In the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry ten five-inch rockets or a bomb load of up to 2,500 pounds.
The first P-47 combat mission took place on March 10, 1943 when the 4th FG took their aircraft on a fighter sweep over France. By 1944, the P-47 Thunderbolt was in service with the USAAF in all of its operational theaters, except Alaska. Although the P-51 Mustang eventually replaced the P-47 in the long-range escort role in Europe, the P-47 still ended the war with 3752 air-to-air victories claimed in over 746,000 sorties. A total of 15,678 P-47s of all types were built, the last being a P-47N, which rolled off the Republic Aviation production line in October 1945. The P-47 Thunderbolt served with the U.S. Army Air Force (U.S. Air Force after 1947) until 1949 and the Air National Guard until 1953.
The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.
This model of a P-47 Thunderbolt features:
Realistic panel lines
Detailed cockpit with pilot figure
Historically accurate printed markings
Rotatable propeller
Optional extended landing gear
Display stand
Numbered collector card
Category: Corgi 1:72 U.S. Military Aircraft Models
This item is not suitable for children under the age of 14
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